former massachusetts senator john kerry is due to be confirmed as secretary of state today as hillary clinton steps down. on wednesday, he bid farewell to the senate where he served since 1985. >> standing here at this desk that once belonged -- at this desk that once belonged to president kennedy and ted kennedy, i cannot help but be reminded that even our nation's greatest leaders and all of the rest of us are merely temporary workers. i am reminded this chamber is a living museum, a lasting memorial to the miracle of the american experiment. >> senator john kerry saying goodbye to the senate. a new united nations report has strongly condemned israeli settlements in the west bank, saying they violate the geneva convention and must be dismantled immediately or israel could potentially face charges. the u.n. human rights council says he's ready israeli settlements are -- israel boycotted the council's review of its human rights record this week, becoming the first country ever to do so. in egypt, thousands of protesters are gathering across the country today for a day of action against presid